PRESIDENT-ELECT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Thursday, May 26, 2022, he will assert the country’s right over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Marcos Jr. said his government will consistently talk with China “with a firm” voice regarding the matter.
He said he will not allow even a single square millimeter of the country’s maritime coast to be trampled upon “as our sovereignty is sacred and we will not compromise it in any way.”
“We have a very important ruling in our favor and we will use it to continue to assert our territorial rights. It is not a claim. It is already our territorial right,” he said.
On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s claims within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line, which is over 90 percent of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
It also affirmed the traditional and legitimate fishing rights of Filipino fishermen in the area but China refused to accept the ruling.
Filipino fishermen, as well as troops continue to experience harassment by the Chinese authorities in the coastal waters of the Philippines. (SunStar Philippines)